NASA’s Artemis Landers: Where Do SpaceX and Blue Origin Stand?

NASA’s Orion capsule and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket are making progress, but the moon landers that astronauts will use to land on the lunar surface remain a big question mark in the agency’s Artemis program.

A recent Ars Technica report shared insights from NASA’s planetary science division director, Lori Glaze. She expressed cautious optimism about the two companies tasked with building those landers: SpaceX and Blue Origin. “We have seen real commitment to try and do that… from both Blue and from SpaceX,” Glaze noted.

This isn’t a victory lap; it’s more of a measured endorsement. So, what’s really happening?

Two Companies, Two Landers, One Ambitious Goal

NASA didn’t put all its lunar eggs in one basket. The agency awarded contracts to two different companies to develop human landing systems. These systems will transport astronauts from lunar orbit down to the Moon’s surface and back.

SpaceX is working on a lunar variant of its Starship rocket. If you’ve seen Starship test flights from Boca Chica, Texas, you have a good idea of what this looks like. It’s a massive stainless-steel rocket that stands nearly 400 feet tall when stacked with its booster. The lunar lander will detach from the booster in orbit and head to the Moon.

Blue Origin, the company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, is developing a lander named Blue Moon. This design is more traditional compared to Starship, specifically crafted for lunar landings rather than modified from an Earth-to-orbit system.

Why the Landers Are the Toughest Challenge

Think of the Artemis program like a road trip. The SLS rocket and Orion capsule are the highway and the car that takes astronauts to the neighborhood. The lunar lander is the final delivery vehicle that actually drops them off at the door.

That last mile is incredibly tough. Landing on the Moon involves no atmosphere to slow you down, one-sixth of Earth’s gravity, and a surface covered in fine dust that can interfere with equipment. Both companies are essentially trying to build something that’s only been successfully achieved a few times in history, and never with humans since Apollo 17 in 1972.

NASA’s earlier crewed Moon landings used the Apollo Lunar Module, which was custom-designed for this job. What SpaceX and Blue Origin are attempting is technically more complex, and the timelines have already shifted.

Current Status

SpaceX has completed several high-profile Starship test flights, showing improved reliability over earlier attempts. The company even caught the booster using its “chopstick” launch tower arms. This reusability technology is key to the economics of its lunar mission contract.

Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket back into orbit earlier this year, marking a significant milestone after years of delays. While New Glenn is separate from Blue Moon, it proves that Blue Origin can build and fly large rockets. This is important when assessing their ability to deliver on a lunar lander.

However, neither lander has conducted an uncrewed test landing on the Moon yet, which is a required step before putting humans on board. NASA has shifted its target for the first crewed Artemis lunar landing multiple times, and there’s currently no firm public date that both NASA and its contractors have confidently agreed upon.

What This Means

If you’re not an astronaut or a space engineer, you might wonder why any of this matters to you. Here’s the short answer: the technology being developed for these lunar landers directly feeds into advancements in rocket reusability, fuel efficiency, and precision landing systems. These improvements will eventually lower the cost of sending satellites, space stations, and humans into deep space.

More immediately, NASA’s Artemis program represents tens of billions in government spending. Its success or failure has real implications for America’s position in a renewed space race, especially since China has announced its crewed lunar ambitions for the 2030s. Whether U.S. astronauts land on the Moon before China does partly depends on whether these landers move from concept to reality.

Community Reaction

“Starship needs to do a full lunar profile test before anyone’s getting on that thing. The gap between ‘working well in LEO’ and ‘landing on the Moon’ is enormous.”

— u/OrbitalMechanicsNerd, r/space

“Blue Origin finally got New Glenn flying and people still sleep on them. Blue Moon could surprise everyone if they stay quiet and just build.”

— YouTube commenter on NASASpaceflight channel coverage of New Glenn

What To Watch

• SpaceX Starship test flights: Each test brings the vehicle closer to a lunar-ready configuration. Watch for announcements of propellant transfer tests in orbit, an essential step before a Moon mission.
• Blue Moon uncrewed demo: Blue Origin hasn’t announced a firm date for a test landing, but any timeline update will indicate how close Artemis IV is to becoming a reality.
• NASA budget decisions: Congress is still debating NASA appropriations. Funding cuts could delay both lander programs, regardless of technical progress. The next budget cycle will be crucial.
• Artemis III target date: NASA has mentioned the mid-to-late 2020s for its first crewed lunar landing. Any official update to that timeline from NASA would be significant news.

Sources: Ars Technica